Today’s urgent questions in the House of Lords saw three Labour Peers, speak up for women. Lord Triesman, Lord Young of Norwood Green and Lord Hunt of Kings Heath all expressed their satisfaction that the government has responded sensibly to the GRA consultation. Lord Triesman spoke out against the vilification of women such as JK Rowling who express the view that women’s rights can be exercised on the basis of biological sex, while Lord Young and Lord Hunt  pressed the government on the question of what guidance it will issue to ensure organisations  understand and implement existing law in relation to the single-sex exemptions in the Equality Act. Many organisations and institutions have already changed their policies and practices in anticipation of  legal changes and on advice that misinterprets the law, so it is crucial that the government acts to clarify how the exemptions can be applied and properly enforced.

We applaud our Labour Peers Lord Hunt, Lord Young (both signatories of Labour Women’s Declaration) and Lord Triesman for speaking up. Women especially lesbians have pushed hard for their voices to be heard. The Lords have clearly listened. That the Lords are speaking creates a space for others – especially Labour MPs who have been notably silent on women’s rights and the right for women to speak about issues around sex-based rights. They also create a space for the Labour Party to move forward and open up the respectful dialogue between gender identity campaigners and advocates for women’s sex-based rights that is much needed.

Click on the links below to hear their full commentary and questions
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Lord Young of Norwood Green
Lord Triesman